In a seemingly-secretive campaign, social media influencers are reportedly being paid to promote American artificial intelligence (AI) while also highlighting the potential threat posed by China's AI progress. The influencers are said to be associated with Build American AI, a nonprofit organization connected to a political fundraising network supported by prominent figures in the US tech industry. The campaign aims to shape public perception of AI, given its increasing significance in politics, business, and daily life, while raising concerns about the use of influencers to disseminate political messages without clear disclosure.

Build American AI, described as a nonprofit linked to tech investors and executives, has allegedly orchestrated a campaign with two distinct phases. Initially, influencers were directed to post conventional lifestyle content, integrating positive mentions of US-made AI. Although some posts were labeled as advertisements, the source of funding behind them was not always transparent. The subsequent phase reportedly involved a shift towards emphasizing China's AI advancements and the potential risks they pose to the US in terms of jobs, data privacy, and national security. Marketing agencies purportedly offered substantial payments to creators willing to convey these messages.

While some influencers accepted the deals and created content endorsing US AI progress, others declined participation due to discomfort with the focus on China and the transformation of lifestyle content into political advocacy. Experts have criticized the campaign, highlighting the potential for viewers to be unaware of the political or corporate backing behind such content, particularly when it is presented as personal opinion or everyday advice. The covert nature of this advertising is seen as detrimental, as it blurs the line between independent content and paid messaging, influencing public perceptions about the benefits and risks of AI as companies and investors vie for public support.

Although the US perceives itself as a frontrunner in AI development in terms of cutting-edge research and advanced AI models, China is rapidly closing the gap in global opinion. Chinese companies and the government have made significant strides in applying AI across various sectors and have significantly increased research output and patent filings. Despite lagging slightly in top-tier innovations, China's extensive deployment of AI and state-backed investments provide a competitive edge. Experts now view the US-China AI competition as a fast-evolving race, with the once substantial lead of the US diminishing in recent years, necessitating continued heavy investment to maintain economic and national security advantages.

Even as Beijing warns against the "politicization" of trade, it continues to deploy its own sophisticated global influence apparatus designed to frame its economic rise as an indispensable "win-win" for the world. Through state-run media outlets like China Daily, the government broadcasts a consistent narrative that portrays Western "de-risking" as a protectionist relic of a Cold War mindset. These efforts are often amplified by "borrowed boats", which are partnerships with local foreign media and influencers, to disseminate the message that Chinese technology and investment are the primary drivers of global stability and green innovation.

Furthermore, China’s overseas promotion strategy increasingly leverages digital platforms to target specialized professional and political audiences. By sponsoring high-profile forums and academic exchanges, Beijing seeks to normalize its "New Quality Productive Forces" terminology and position its regulatory models as viable alternatives to Western standards. These coordinated communication campaigns aim to build a global consensus that aligns with China’s strategic goals, effectively utilizing "soft power" to preemptively counter the very legislative and trade restrictions currently being debated in Brussels and Washington.